Interview: Fritz Kalkbrenner celebrates last release of 2025 with ‘Calling You’

Fritz Kalkbrenner looks back on a year shaped by touring, studio work, and a renewed creative focus. With multiple singles marking different phases of his current approach, he discusses the ideas linking them, the impact of his Kontinentego Tour, and the direction he expects to follow as we go into 2026.

How has 2025 been for Fritz Kalkbrenner?

It’s been a year of movement, in every sense. I was on the road a lot, but also shifting creatively. I feel like I’ve entered a phase where the ideas come with more clarity again. The international shows, the Kontinentego Tour in Germany, and the studio work all fed into each other. I’m closing the year with a sense of gratitude and curiosity about what’s still ahead.

You released several singles this year, do the tracks have a connection at all?

They are part of one ongoing movement. Each of these tracks reflects a different corner of the same creative space I’m exploring at the moment. ‘Kick It With You’ opened the door with a really uplifting vibe. ‘Save Me’ was more introspective.

‘When I See You’ had that playful, melodic swing which Super Flu pushed in a completely new direction. And ‘Calling You’ feels like the most distilled version of where I am right now. Together they form the early chapters of something longer that I’m working toward.

‘Calling You’ is very emotive, what inspired that side of things?

It began with the vocals. They carried a sense of urgency that I found very engaging. I wanted the production to stay honest, not too polished, just enough to keep the emotional pulse alive. The track became a message that moves forward without hesitation, and maybe that’s why it resonates. It mirrors the tempo of my own life lately.

The Kontinentego Tour was a major highlight of course. How did you find the experience of being on tour?

Kontinentego was the heart of the year. The tour brought me closer to the audience again in a very direct way. Every night and every venue felt different, but the connection was consistent. It reminded me why playing live remains such an essential part of my artistic identity. The shows were demanding, but they gave me a lot of energy back.

You surprised Berlin with a free show out of an ice cream van?

Sometimes it’s good to break routine. We drove the ice cream van onto the RAW-Gelände in Berlin, opened the hatch, and the rest just happened. It was a spontaneous thank you to the city that shaped me. No big setup, no massive stage, just music, free ice cream and people gathering around.

I enjoyed that a lot because it reminded me of how simple and joyful music can be when nothing is planned too much.

You’ve also played internationally this year, what stood out the most?

Each city had its own character. Barcelona was warm and intense, Vienna had this elegant calmness before the show, and Amsterdam always brings a special openness to electronic music. The festivals added another layer with their outdoor energy. All those impressions travelled back with me into the studio. Touring is not just playing shows; it also shapes your emotional vocabulary.

And a return to Ibiza this summer, how does the island influence you now?

Ibiza has a very particular rhythm. When the crowd is with you, the island almost amplifies the feeling. My set there was one of the moments where excitement and focus met perfectly. I always leave with a renewed sense of movement, as if the island pushes you forward a little.

Looking ahead to 2026, what direction do you feel yourself moving toward?

I’m continuing the work I started with the recent singles. There’s more music coming, and it all grows from the same creative soil. I don’t want to reveal too much yet, but I feel a strong momentum. If 2025 was a year of gathering energy, 2026 will be a year of shaping it into something more defined.

Fritz Kalkbrenner – Calling You is out now on Intercord.

40 Questions: Ramon Tapia